EU – European Parliament Discusses in Strasbourg "Democratisation in Turkey"
Dear Sir/Madam,
The Syriac Universal Alliance (the “SUA”) refers to the European Parliament Meeting to be held in Strasbourg from 18‐21 January 2010. We also refer to the recent Council of Europe report by Mr. Michel Hunault about Freedom of religion and other human rights for non‐Muslim minorities in Turkey and for the Muslim minority in Thrace (Eastern Greece. As you are aware, this report will be discussed on 27 January 2010 in Strasbourg and on which the SUA has also sent a letter to the respective parliamentarians of the Council of Europe.
In the European parliamentarian meeting there are many issues to be discussed of great importance to the European community. Of particular interest to the Syriac Universal Alliance is the discussion on Wednesday, 20 January 2010, about “Democratisation in Turkey.” Democracy and Human Rights are critical to the future survival of the indigenous Syriac (Aramean) people who historically and currently occupy the Southeast of Turkey (see Attachment 1 for further information).
The SUA is a Non‐Governmental Organization (NGO) in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations since 1999 (see Attachment 1 for further information). It is the leading voice of the Syriac (Aramean) people who are indigenous to Southeast Turkey and thus rightfully seek minority rights protections, undifferentiated from the protections afforded to other minorities and native peoples of the world.
As you are aware, the quintessential values of minority rights and democracy are the underpinnings of civilised society and indispensable for European stability and progression. The Syriac (Aramean) indigenous people are facing overwhelming problems within Turkey and their democratic rights within the country are in jeopardy. They are heavily persecuted and the help of the European Parliament is critical to their survival.
The Syriac Universal Alliance shares with you just a few of the issues largely relating to property rights, persecution and discrimination. The below matters are just a minor depiction of the overall bleak picture facing the Syriac (Aramean) people. These issues are pertinent to ensuring the proper advancement of minority rights under democratic governance in Turkey.
During the meeting on 20 January 2010, the Syriac Universal Alliance requests that the following issues are raised directly with the Turkish State and that these issues are constantly monitored in order to protect the Syriac (Aramean) people and their democratic rights:
